On a limited schedule in 2022, veteran Hector Arana Jr. proved he could still win in NHRA’s Pro Stock Motorcycle class.
Arana Jr. competed in just seven races and won two of those – Dallas and the Las Vegas fall race.
That performance was no fluke.
Last March, the fastest name in credit card processing, GETTRX, powered by Global Electronic Technology, Inc., announced it would sponsor Arana Jr. and the Arana Racing team for the entire season.
And Arana Jr. awarded GETTRX.
Piloting his Buell, Arana Jr. had a strong campaign, finishing third in the final points standings behind Vance & Hines Suzuki teammates – Gaige Herrera and Eddie Krawiec.
Arana Jr. won in Norwalk, Ohio, and had two runner-up efforts in Indianapolis and Charlotte, N.C., at the fall race. His elimination-round record was 26-14 for the season.
“All in all, obviously the goal is always to win a championship, but very happy with our performance. I think it was probably our best overall performance outing,” Arana Jr. said. “This year was just a tough year with the two Vance & Hines bikes and the other teams as well. So, considering the way we were racing with, essentially, we ran the whole year with one motor, and we were able to keep it up, and do some changes, and updates along the way to improve our performance. But ultimately, we were able to do that, and we were competitive. We had a fast bike. Other than the one anomaly of Gaige, we were right there in the hunt, and we were doing well.
“So, very pleased with our performance, and I did better than what I expected us to do; other than the performance, as far as I knew we would race and be competitive. But just the numbers, and the ETs, and the consistent mile an hour, we did really well. And I think it was better than my expectations compared to the field.”
One thing Arana Jr. doesn’t have to worry about this offseason is landing a primary sponsor.
Entrepreneur Steve Bryson, founder and CEO of GETTRX, made sure of that for Arana Jr. during the Western Swing this past season.
“It started off with just a deal for this year, and then in Denver, Colo., (in July), Steve Bryson told us that we were extending to 2024,” Arana Jr. said. “Oh yeah, it was definitely a relief. So, excited that knowing we’re going into 2024, racing with GETTRX, it’ll help us just to be that much further ahead of the game and prepared for next year.”
Hector Jr. also loves getting to work with his father Hector Sr., a star PSM racer and his tuner.
“It’s great. I moved out of town, and so it’s great because I get to see him more often again,” Arana Jr., said. “So, it’s an awesome opportunity to be able to race with my father, and I take every moment, and enjoy, and cherish every moment because as it’s happened to us already, you never know when it’ll be your last year. So, I just enjoy every opportunity that I get to be able to do that with my father.”
Speaking of family, Arana Jr. enjoys the fact that his daughters can see him compete. He and his wife, Nicole, have daughters, Sofia, 4, and Ella, 1.
“They definitely make it tough when you’re doing the back-to-back races, because they’re like, ‘Daddy, you’re going again?’ And so that part breaks your heart, but it makes you fight harder. You want to do well for them, because you know they’re watching, and you want to be that good role model for them and show them that with hard work and perseverance that you can succeed. So, it gives me that extra drive. And I had the opportunity to have them by my side when we won the race in Ohio. They got to experience a win, and all that. So very exciting for us to be able to do that this year.”
Although Vance & Hines’ Herrera was dominant in 2023 – winning 11 races and qualifying No. 1 14 times – Arana Jr. doesn’t believe his Buell is that far from catching up to Herrera and Krawiec for that matter.
“I think as far as the horsepower department goes, we’re close. They have a little bit of an edge, but we’re close. The back half numbers, and the speed shows that,” Arana Jr. said. “And I know if we can improve on our front half, that the back half numbers will only be better. But we’re going to work on horsepower over the winter, and we just need to go testing. And we need to work on accelerating the bike off the starting line, and improve our 60 foots, but to be able to do that consistently.
“So that was one thing that they were able to do with Gaige and his bike this year was they were able to consistently get really good short times, and get the bike to travel, which turns into the low ETs that they had. So that’s where we really need to focus in order to be competitive for next year.”
Arana Jr. also emphasized how important testing is for his team, so he and his crew aren’t having to use races to get a barometer of where the team is.
“If we could go, because you go to the race, and then you’re focused on trying to qualify, and do the best that you can. So, you don’t really want to do drastic changes, especially with some of the races only being three qualifiers,” Arana Jr. said. “You’re trying to get your bike dialed in the best that you can, so that way, you’re ready for a race day, and with the goal of being as successful as possible. So, it makes it hard to go do a drastic change, but definitely we have to go testing this offseason, and spend a couple days where we can just do drastic changes and see if we can’t find something.”
Arana acknowledged finding an edge where he can be better than his fellow PSM riders is part of the sport he craves.
“I really enjoy the competition, and it’s never easy. It’s always a challenge, and you’re always innovating,” he said. “So, that’s my favorite part of racing NHRA, and Pro Stock Motorcycle is you’re always working, and pushing, and innovating. So, to me, that’s the most exciting thing. There’s never a dull moment. You’re always trying to improve and do better.”
